The suspension for doping of Argentinian Alejandro Papu Gomez continues to fuel debate on the other side of the world. What consequences could it have?
It’s a case that has shaken Argentine football for a week: Alejandro Gomez, known as “Papu”, tested positive for a banned product just before the curtain rises for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The product in question is said to be a children’s syrup that the 35-year-old attacking midfielder ingested without consulting the medical staff of his then club, Sevilla FC.
What are the consequences of this positive test?
In Argentina, many observers are worried about the fate reserved for Papu Gomez. The former Atalanta Bergamo player is a popular figure in the country, due to his atypical career and his endearing personality. The information revealed by the Spanish newspaper Relevo and the Italian journalist Nicolo Schira specifies that the 35-year-old footballer would be the first to suffer the consequences of this reckless act since he would have received a two-year suspension for doping.
Above all, Papu Gomez could be stripped of his world champion title. Article 26 of the FIFA Anti-Doping Regulations “ obtained in matches subsequent to the taking of the sample or the commission of the anti-doping rule violation. » « In addition to the automatic cancellation of the results obtained in the match during which a positive sample was collected under s. 1 of this article, all other competition results obtained by the player from the date of collection of the positive sample (in competition or out of competition), or the commission of another violation of the anti-doping rules, are canceled , with all resulting consequences, until the start of the provisional suspension or suspension, unless other treatment is justified on grounds of fairness“.
The World Cup final between Argentina and France having taken place on December 18, Papu Gomez therefore risks being removed from the list of players crowned world champions since his control on a date before this epic final. However, the sanction is not yet effective. FIFA has yet to rule on the case of the midfielder, suspended by his club Manza and closer than ever to retirement.
What does Argentina risk? Can France hope for a victory on the green carpet?
Concretely, Lionel Messi and his teammates could have been worried if other cases had occurred at the same time. The regulations stipulate that a collective title can be canceled if more than two players from the same team have undergone positive doping tests. It has not happened.
Furthermore, such a scenario would not necessarily have had consequences for the French team, Argentina’s opponent on December 18, the withdrawal of a title for a team not leading to the automatic redistribution of the trophy to the defeated opponent. For the most dreamy supporters, the fantasy of a third star should therefore be forgotten. At least for 4 years…
It’s a case that has shaken Argentine football for a week: Alejandro Gomez, known as “Papu”, tested positive for a banned product just before the curtain rises for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The product in question is said to be a children’s syrup that the 35-year-old attacking midfielder ingested without consulting the medical staff of his then club, Sevilla FC.
What are the consequences of this positive test?
Concretely, Lionel Messi and his teammates could have been worried if other cases had occurred at the same time. The regulations stipulate that a collective title can be canceled if more than two players from the same team have undergone positive doping tests. It has not happened.
Furthermore, such a scenario would not necessarily have had consequences for the French team, Argentina’s opponent on December 18, the withdrawal of a title for a team not leading to the automatic redistribution of the trophy to the defeated opponent. For the most dreamy supporters, the fantasy of a third star should therefore be forgotten. At least for 4 years…
